Small molecule agonists of integrin CD11b/CD18 do not induce global conformational changes and are significantly better than activating antibodies in reducing vascular injury

► CD11b/CD18 regulates leukocyte adhesion, migration and inflammatory functions. ► Increasing adhesion by activating CD11b/CD18 is a novel therapeutic approach. ► We compared two types of CD11b/CD18 agonists using in vitro and in vivo assays. ► Small molecules, leukadherins, induced no outside-in signaling. ► Leukadherins were superior to activating mAbs in reducing inflammation.